Massive Landslide Hits Nepal - 2002-08-21

Authorities in Nepal say at least 60 people are feared dead in a massive landslide in the eastern part of the country.

Nepal's Home Ministry says a landslide struck Bamti early Wednesday, sweeping away at least 40 houses in the village.

Bamti, in Nepals Ramechhap District, is about 80 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu.

Authorities say they have sent relief supplies by helicopter to the remote area.

In the past two months, torrential rains, floods and landslides have killed more than 400 people in Nepal and left thousands homeless. At least 47 of Nepal's 75 districts have been affected by the heavy rains.

The rains have swollen the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems that flow through Nepal, India and Bangladesh, causing heavy flooding in all three countries. Authorities say deforestation and a high population density along the river systems are partly to blame for the devastation.

Floods in Nepal, Bangladesh and eastern India come as the worst drought in more than a decade has struck northwest India and parts of eastern Pakistan.